FAMILY MATTERS
As many as 40 relatives will come to see Albertan Jimmy Ralph when Argos hit Calgary
On and off football’s practice roster more often than he cares to recount, Jimmy Ralph began to wonder when his chance would arrive.
Credit Ralph for persevering, his commitment about to pay off as he makes his starting debut this week with the Argos visiting Calgary.
The Alberta native will fill in for Anthony Coombs, who hurt his shoulder last Saturday in an Argos win over visiting Montreal.
“It’s exciting,’’ began Ralph. “It’s cool how it’s worked out. I’m excited because I am going home and I’ll be able to do it in front of my family. That obviously makes it more fun.”
Ralph figures there will be as many as 40 family members in attendance at McMahon Stadium.
“I come from a (sporting) family of six and I’m the only one without kids,’’ added Ralph. “There will be cousins, nephews, nieces, grandmas, grandpas. There will be a lot of people there as well as friends. They (friends) can take care of their tickets and I’ll take care of the family and go from there.”
The Ralph family home is situated roughly two hours south of Calgary in Raymond.
The closest major city is Lethbridge.
Ralph says his family will drive to Calgary.
Whether it’s his older brother Brock or any other family member, Jimmy Ralph is the latest member of the family to play at the pro level.
No one gave Jimmy much of a chance. The Argos did.
He looked good in camp and stepped up another notch each time he got a rep in the pre-season.
Ralph then had to bide his time with the Argos deep in American talent and having the luxury of starting a Canadian receiver in Coombs, who was having a break-out season until injury struck.
There was no indication Ralph would even accompany the team to Calgary and now he’ll start.
“I’ve been going through the process trying to prepare for my opportunity, doing a lot of work in my playbook, those types of things,’’ said Ralph. “When AC went down, I felt I was prepared, I felt I could go in there without thinking and allow my instincts to take over.”
When Coombs went down against the Als, the Argos called on Ralph.
Earlier in the season, Ralph lined up on the field side.
More recently, he was backing up both S.J. Green, named Tuesday by the league as one of its top weekly performers for the third time this season, and Coombs.
“I’ve been trying to know every spot,’’ said Ralph. “That way, I can understand the entire offence, understand what everyone is doing and it’s also helped my football IQ and just understanding the purpose of what we’re doing.
“That prepared me for sure. When Anthony went down, I was ready.” Kickoff is Saturday night. The night before, there’s a big high school game in Raymond with Ralph’s brother, Brock, providing the opposition as head coach for an Edmonton school.
It’ll be a big moment Friday given Brock Ralph will be coaching against the school each of the Ralph family members once attended.
For Jimmy, it’ll allow him some time to relax and concentrate on the Stamps before his family hits town.
“I’ll be in the hotel making sure I’m ready,’’ said Ralph. “This is a business trip for me. It’ll be nice to see family and catch up, but I’m there to take advantage of this opportunity.
“I told my family that and they were very understanding.”
Ralph spent a brief time on the Stamps’ practice roster and is familiar with the defensive philosophy.
“I know they are well coached and I know a few of the players we’ll be going up against. I know they will rally to the ball and you have to focus on attention to detail when you play teams like that who have been successful for years.”